Stephen Dubner

Allensworth wound up embedding herself for four years in the licensing system of Tennessee, where she lives. She attended many board meetings. She interviewed more than 180 people covering 28 professions. She started writing some journalism on the subject, and now she has published her book, The Licensing Racket, How We Decide Who Is Allowed to Work and Why It Goes Wrong.

Allensworth wound up embedding herself for four years in the licensing system of Tennessee, where she lives. She attended many board meetings. She interviewed more than 180 people covering 28 professions. She started writing some journalism on the subject, and now she has published her book, The Licensing Racket, How We Decide Who Is Allowed to Work and Why It Goes Wrong.

The minute you start reading, you can see why she wanted to call the book Bored to Death.

The minute you start reading, you can see why she wanted to call the book Bored to Death.

The minute you start reading, you can see why she wanted to call the book Bored to Death.

And that's how Rebecca Allensworth came to understand how the licensing system works. As she describes it, the path to licensing usually starts small. Members of a profession, often backed by a professional association, will approach a state legislature with a proposal for licensure.

And that's how Rebecca Allensworth came to understand how the licensing system works. As she describes it, the path to licensing usually starts small. Members of a profession, often backed by a professional association, will approach a state legislature with a proposal for licensure.

And that's how Rebecca Allensworth came to understand how the licensing system works. As she describes it, the path to licensing usually starts small. Members of a profession, often backed by a professional association, will approach a state legislature with a proposal for licensure.

These proposals, known as practice acts, set the scope and entry requirements and ethics rules for a given profession. Once a profession secures its initial licensing law, it gains control of the regulatory board that oversees it. Today, there are around 300 licensed professions in the U.S. regulated by around 2000 licensing boards across the country. How did all this get started?

These proposals, known as practice acts, set the scope and entry requirements and ethics rules for a given profession. Once a profession secures its initial licensing law, it gains control of the regulatory board that oversees it. Today, there are around 300 licensed professions in the U.S. regulated by around 2000 licensing boards across the country. How did all this get started?

These proposals, known as practice acts, set the scope and entry requirements and ethics rules for a given profession. Once a profession secures its initial licensing law, it gains control of the regulatory board that oversees it. Today, there are around 300 licensed professions in the U.S. regulated by around 2000 licensing boards across the country. How did all this get started?

Some of the first licensees were physicians.

Some of the first licensees were physicians.

Some of the first licensees were physicians.

Okay. And all the licensed professions you write about have boards. And earlier you said that the board situation is terrible. Why is it terrible?

Okay. And all the licensed professions you write about have boards. And earlier you said that the board situation is terrible. Why is it terrible?

Okay. And all the licensed professions you write about have boards. And earlier you said that the board situation is terrible. Why is it terrible?

So the policing and disciplinary functions are just not performed well?

So the policing and disciplinary functions are just not performed well?

So the policing and disciplinary functions are just not performed well?